Help something is killing my bantams "graphic pics"

[Granny Hoffman]

Thank you again for the many responses. One thing I forgot to add, when I rounded the corner of the run, all of the other chickens were in the coop and the only one in the run was the dead one and feathers everywhere.

 

[slorette]

I don't think it was a weasel. I just suffered losses due to a weasel & it looked more like they were shot by a 22. very small puncture wound. Sorry for your loss... I know it's hard.
I just lost 4 hens a baby & my roo

 

[centrarchid]

I agree with MMPoultryFarms. Most likely a Coopers Hawk. I can not see entire run / coop system from photograph but looks like no cover from Coopers. Trees above perimeter of run likely make it so hawk does not even have to be sneaky. Once hawk commits to chasing chickens, if it comes to a chase, the chickens have no cover to hide in or make it so hawk can not pursue on wing. Bird or deer netting above run should stop such a hawk if it is inclined to return.

 

[MMPoultryFarms]

Quote:
That confirmes my beliefs the feathers everywhere Replys what we call Impact feathers. The hawk using wind as momentum for a quick strike, causes the feathers to almost explode off the chicken on contact. Cover then run with a light netting and hang a few CD's with zip ties Move them around every few days. or hang some from the top of the netting. and secure your coop the rest of the way with hardware cloth and. any other means you see fit to avoid any other Predator/chicken contact.

 

[centrarchid]

Sometimes feather loss can be a reaction to predator like lizard dropping tail. I have had a couple show birds that were not conditioned for handling that dropped all large number of feathers when I was a little too grabby. Many birds have this ability, not just chickens.

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
That confirmes my beliefs the feathers everywhere Replys what we call Impact feathers. The hawk using wind as momentum for a quick strike, causes the feathers to almost explode off the chicken on contact. Cover then run with a light netting and hang a few CD's with zip ties Move them around every few days. or hang some from the top of the netting. and secure your coop the rest of the way with hardware cloth and. any other means you see fit to avoid any other Predator/chicken contact.

I didn't notice the top of the run was open and now with the discription of feathers scattered everywhere, I agree it was a hawk. You would be wise to keep them up for a week or so, or at least until you get that run covered. It will be back!

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
My guess too--I actually trapped a weasel while I was working on one side of my coop so they are active in the day and aren't too concerned about humans being around. I suspect had it been a hawk you'd probably would have seen it, they aren't that much in a hurry about leaving their kill. The wounds I see in your picture are consistent with a weasel kill too--not much blood and go for the neck/head. Looking at your setup I'd say the only way you're going to stop it is to trap the animal--they won't be stopped by anything less than half an inch mesh. Use one of the dead birds for bait. Good luck.

 

[centrarchid]

A hawk will sometimes consume kill on sight, especially if item heavy burden for flying out of pen and remaing chickens not poising risk. Even a bantam can tax a hawks carrying capacity if much vertical flight required immediately after takeoff. Hawk would probably also want to feed off kill in open, weasel not so picky. Also would not weasel have to wrassel chicken for a bit to get it down with feathers scattered in process?

 

[AussieAcres]

Quote:
That confirmes my beliefs the feathers everywhere Replys what we call Impact feathers. The hawk using wind as momentum for a quick strike, causes the feathers to almost explode off the chicken on contact. Cover then run with a light netting and hang a few CD's with zip ties Move them around every few days. or hang some from the top of the netting. and secure your coop the rest of the way with hardware cloth and. any other means you see fit to avoid any other Predator/chicken contact.

Cover the run, but FYI, the CD thing rarely ever works after the first day. hawks are very intelligent. Covering the run is you best bet. Netting, chicken wire, hardware cloth....keep them in when unsupervised.

 

[mychookschick]

I don't know what might have gotten it but, I wanted to add that if it had been there any length of time, it is a possibility that the other chickens may have picked at it also... I know that that is gross and disturbing but, it is a fact of life. Then again, you said that all the chickens were in the coop, so there is a pretty good cance that you walked up on the whatever-it-was and it went away, without having the opportunity to take the chicken with it..... Just some food for thought since they were trying to determine what got it by the marks that were left behind on the flesh.

Hope this might help (as grusome as it is),
Luvmygoldencomets